The new hosts of ‘The Great British Bake Off’ have been announced. Noel Fielding and Sandi Toksvig will be joining new judge Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood in the famous tent when the hit baking show returns to screens later this year on its new home of Channel 4. The pair will replace Mel and Sue who chose, alongside judge Mary Berry, to not move channels with the show. Tokvig already presents ‘Fifteen To One’ on Channel 4 and BBC Radio 4’s ‘News Quiz’ while Noel Fielding has written and starred in the shows ‘Noel Fielding's Luxury Comedy’ and ‘The Mighty Boosh’.

Joining Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood

Although some fans of the show took to Twitter to complain about this announcement comedian Fielding seemed delighted. Fielding has also expressed his delight at working alongside Danish-born Sandi Toksvig. While discussing the new role as host he Noel claimed that 'GBBO' is one of his favourite shows as he especially loves brightly coloured cakes. Toksvig, who recently took over the role of QI presenter from Stephen Fry said she was honoured to be part of the show. She has described comedian Fielding as her wayward cousin.

Channel 4 defends decision

Channel 4’s Chief Creative Officer Jay Hunt has defended their decision saying that their intention was to make ‘The Great British Bake Off’ a unique Channel 4 feel.

They will join Paul Hollywood and new recruit Prue Leith, who founded cookery Leith in 1975 and received a CBE in 2010. She isn’t new to TV judging having spent ten years on BBC2’S ‘Great British Menu’

The show, which started in 2010, has run for seven series on the BBC before Love Productions sold the rights to rival broadcaster Channel 4. It is thought that the broadcaster outbid the BBC by £10 million to gain the rights. ‘The Great British Bake Off’ has been nominated a number of times in various categories for the BAFTA awards and won in 2012, 2013, and 2016. The baking competition format has been sold to nearly 200 different territories including junior and celebrity versions.

The show is set to make its Channel 4 debut in the autumn.